Occipital emissary foramen in skulls from central Anatolia.

In this study, a total of 125 female and 175 male adult human skulls from Central Anatolia were examined. The incidence and localization of the rate occipital foramen found on the squama of occipital bone were investigated. This foramen has significant importance during suboccipital craniotomies since it transmits the occipital emissary vein. In the present study, the occipital foramen was found in 8 (2.6%) skulls. Its location was closer to the foramen magnum but not to the external occipital protuberance.